Methodology of Social and Evaluation Research
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course has two objectives: 1) to provide essential elements concerning the debate on the specificity of social sciences, on their reliability, on the control of statements relating to social reality; 2) illustrate the main alternatives for projecting an empirical reserach (research design) on the basis of the initial hypotheses and available theoretical approaches.
This second part in turn has two objectives: a) providing the tools for understanding the procedures that lead to research results and for a critical assessment of their reliability, for those students who want to acquire a capacity to use the research results correctly in various fields of social sciences; b) building a basic methodology for those students who will later choose more advanced courses for the use and application of empirical quantitative and qualitative research techniques.
This second part in turn has two objectives: a) providing the tools for understanding the procedures that lead to research results and for a critical assessment of their reliability, for those students who want to acquire a capacity to use the research results correctly in various fields of social sciences; b) building a basic methodology for those students who will later choose more advanced courses for the use and application of empirical quantitative and qualitative research techniques.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of the main methodological paradigms of social research, of the developments of positivism and interpretativism, of the specificities of quantitative and qualitative research. Knowledge of the scientific research cycle. Ability to understand the theoretical elements of the research process (concepts, theories, hypotheses).
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding in relation to the construction of research designs and to literature review, to the ways of translating concepts into variables, to the main data collection methods (sample survey, secondary data, macro data) and data analysis (contingency table, linear regression). Ability to apply the main qualitative research techniques (participant observation, qualitative interview, focus group).
The course also aims to develop students' ability to communicate what they have learned by involving student groups in the preparation of an original data analysis.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding in relation to the construction of research designs and to literature review, to the ways of translating concepts into variables, to the main data collection methods (sample survey, secondary data, macro data) and data analysis (contingency table, linear regression). Ability to apply the main qualitative research techniques (participant observation, qualitative interview, focus group).
The course also aims to develop students' ability to communicate what they have learned by involving student groups in the preparation of an original data analysis.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
1. Theories and hypotheses
2. Primary and secondary research designs
3. Programmes evaluation
4. From concepts to variables, working with variables
5. Survey
6. Macro data and contingency tables
7. Linear regression
8. Qualitative research techniques, document analysis and digital methods
9. Research paradigms
2. Primary and secondary research designs
3. Programmes evaluation
4. From concepts to variables, working with variables
5. Survey
6. Macro data and contingency tables
7. Linear regression
8. Qualitative research techniques, document analysis and digital methods
9. Research paradigms
Prerequisites for admission
The course of Social statistics and population dynamics is preparatory to the course of Methodology of social research and evaluation.
Any students not enrolled in GLO must have the basic knowledge usually provided by an introductory statistics course.
Any students not enrolled in GLO must have the basic knowledge usually provided by an introductory statistics course.
Teaching methods
The course is completed by a series of sessions in the IT laboratory on the SPSS data analysis program.
A group presentation of a data analysis work is also planned.
A group presentation of a data analysis work is also planned.
Teaching Resources
REFERENCE MATERIAL FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING THE COURSE
de Lillo A., Arosio L., Sarti S., Terraneo M. e Zoboli S., Metodi e tecniche della ricerca sociale, Pearson, Milano, 2011.
Biolcati-Rinaldi F. e Vezzoni C., L'analisi secondaria nella ricerca sociale, il Mulino, Bologna, 2012.
Biolcati F. e Ladini R., L'analisi dei dati survey, Ledizioni, Milano, 2023.
Further references will be indicated during the lessons.
REFERENCE MATERIAL FOR STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING THE COURSE
de Lillo A., Arosio L., Sarti S., Terraneo M. e Zoboli S., Metodi e tecniche della ricerca sociale, Pearson, Milano, 2011.
Biolcati-Rinaldi F. e Vezzoni C., L'analisi secondaria nella ricerca sociale, il Mulino, Bologna, 2012.
de Lillo A. (a cura di), Il mondo della ricerca qualitativa, Utet, Torino, 2010.
de Lillo A., Arosio L., Sarti S., Terraneo M. e Zoboli S., Metodi e tecniche della ricerca sociale, Pearson, Milano, 2011.
Biolcati-Rinaldi F. e Vezzoni C., L'analisi secondaria nella ricerca sociale, il Mulino, Bologna, 2012.
Biolcati F. e Ladini R., L'analisi dei dati survey, Ledizioni, Milano, 2023.
Further references will be indicated during the lessons.
REFERENCE MATERIAL FOR STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING THE COURSE
de Lillo A., Arosio L., Sarti S., Terraneo M. e Zoboli S., Metodi e tecniche della ricerca sociale, Pearson, Milano, 2011.
Biolcati-Rinaldi F. e Vezzoni C., L'analisi secondaria nella ricerca sociale, il Mulino, Bologna, 2012.
de Lillo A. (a cura di), Il mondo della ricerca qualitativa, Utet, Torino, 2010.
Assessment methods and Criteria
EXAMINATION PROCEDURES FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS
The exam consists of three tests: an intermediate test, a final test and a presentation. The intermediate test (duration 40 minutes) includes 15 closed-ended questions and a open-ended question relating to the first part of the program. The final test (duration 90 minutes) includes 15 closed-ended questions and a open-ended question on the second part of the program. It also provides two exercises with SPSS similar to those performed during the lab sessions. The third part of the exam is dedicated to a presentation of the group work on secondary data analysis. The final mark is given by the weighted average of the marks gained in the three parts.
To obtain and maintain the attendance status, at least 80% of the lessons must be followed and both the writings must be sufficient.
EXAMINATION PROCEDURES FOR NON ATTENDING STUDENTS
The exam is written (lasting 40 minutes) and consists of 30 closed-ended questions (which are worth 60% of the final grade) and 2 open-ended questions (which are worth the remaining 40%).
The exam consists of three tests: an intermediate test, a final test and a presentation. The intermediate test (duration 40 minutes) includes 15 closed-ended questions and a open-ended question relating to the first part of the program. The final test (duration 90 minutes) includes 15 closed-ended questions and a open-ended question on the second part of the program. It also provides two exercises with SPSS similar to those performed during the lab sessions. The third part of the exam is dedicated to a presentation of the group work on secondary data analysis. The final mark is given by the weighted average of the marks gained in the three parts.
To obtain and maintain the attendance status, at least 80% of the lessons must be followed and both the writings must be sufficient.
EXAMINATION PROCEDURES FOR NON ATTENDING STUDENTS
The exam is written (lasting 40 minutes) and consists of 30 closed-ended questions (which are worth 60% of the final grade) and 2 open-ended questions (which are worth the remaining 40%).
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Biolcati Rinaldi Ferruccio
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday, 16.30-19.30 (for any changes please refer to the personal web page)
Dipartimento di Scienze Sociali e Politiche, via Passione building, second floor, room 204